Chapter 18 Welcome To The Palace
Rever
Lasmay had known each other since we were both youngsters in shorts decades ago, and I knew that he tended to go all out, (some might even say overboard at times) whenever I asked for his help. But even then I was surprised at how well he managed to obey my instructions and in such little time.
The horses had turned out to be faster and stronger than I expected, and with the rest of the road being pretty smooth, it turned out all they needed was the slightest of prods from me, and off they went. Which meant that barely half an hour after my conversation with Lasmay, I was practically letting them pull the carriage down the palace walkway with no idea of what to expect, but sure of fact that my faithful beta who had never yet failed me would not choose today to do so. And sure enough it turned out that my confidence in him wasn't misplaced.
He was standing off to the sides of the main gates (which were swept open as I came closer, obviously on account of an instruction from him) with three women and a man behind him. I immediately recognized all four of them as members of the noble guard. All four of them had been ahead of their classes during training and had managed to distinguish themselves in one way or another during the term of their service, in fact I had conferred a medal on one of the women myself when she ran into a burning house to save the children trapped inside without giving a second thought to her own safety.
“ Mr Tafer,” I said with what I hoped passed for a sneering note as I guided the horses to a halt across from where he stood with his entourage, and jumped down from my perch.
“ Always good to see you,” I added, striding over and grabbing his hand (which he hadn't offered) in a vigorous handshake.
I was trying to give the impression that there was a thinly veiled rivalry between Lasmay and Mikel, since they were both supposed to be close to the alpha as his beta and closest courtier.
Lasmay in that uncanny way of his somehow managed to read my mind and played his part to perfection.
“ Always a pleasure Mr Franson,” he replied in clipped tones with a smile that could also be described as a grimace, and wiping the hand I had shook on his cloak in what could clearly be considered a surreptitious gesture, but was actually obviously planned. ( At least to me who had known him for so long.)
“ A little later than we expected you to be, but still a pleasure.” He added in the same clipped tone, and I couldn't help but smile. He was playing his part of subtle enmity, but the words were also for me.
“ I'm sure his grace won't mind the slight delay, especially after he listens to my report.” I replied. With a soft tsk and a slight shake of the head, he turned back to his entourage.
“ This is Mr Mikel Franson,” he introduced me.
“ He is the courtier in charge of the regions on the outskirts of the pack, his grace asks that he be treated with utmost respect during his stay.”
“ And these are the captains of the noble guard,” he continued to me.
“ Capra, Mae, Venice and Whitman.” Everyone bowed when their name was mentioned.
“ It's an honor to have you here Mr Franson,”
Capra, a stout woman with bulky features, announced as soon as introductions were over. “We and the legionnaires are ready to be at your service in any way.”
“ Thank you captain Capra.” I replied.
“Perhaps you can be of service by getting my carriage and horses to the stables, it's been a long journey and I'm sure the horses are tired.”
“Oh, and there's a woman in there as well.” I added as Whitman headed for the carriage.
“ She's not feeling too well, get her to the infirmary will you?”
At that all three women headed for the carriage as well, Venice pausing for half a second to give me a look I couldn't decipher.
“ Come along then Mr Franson,” Lasmay said as soon as we were left alone. “ I'm sure his grace can't wait to hear all you have to say.”
With a nod, I trudged after him and let him lead me into my own home.
As soon as we were away from prying eyes, Lasmay grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the nearest empty room, letting go of my wrist, he slammed the door and pulled the deadbolt before turning to face me.
“ What...have..... you....done?” He demanded, his face contorting in anger, all traces of civility gone.
“ Relax Lasmay,” I tried to stall him as I twirled the wrist he had grabbed.
“ I promised to tell you everything, didn't I?. But first tell me what was the meaning of that look Captain Venice was giving me?” I asked.
“Captain Venice is a big advocate against abuse and ill treatment of women.” He replied with a sigh.
This was one of the things I loved about Lasmay, it didn't matter how frustrated or angry he was, or whatever emotion he was feeling, he always answered a direct question.
“ That look meant for your sake,I hope the woman in the carriage hasn't been assaulted, or I will strip your skin from your bones and toss you to wild bears.” He continued.
“ Ohh......” for the life of me, I couldn't think of anything to say.
“ Now, what did you do?” He demanded again. “You didn't kidnap the woman did you?”
“ No, no,no, far from it.” I hastened to assure him and launched into my story.
I told him everything, from the time I found her crying, all the way to having to drug her so I could contact him, I didn't leave out a single detail.
The empty room turned out to be one of the smaller dining rooms, and Lasmay managed to scrounge up some water to soothe my throat as I spoke. It took almost an hour but I finally got everything out. By the time I was done speaking, I was straddling one of the chairs and Lasmay was pacing back and forth in front of me.
“ Fania Halfad-Samaf,” he said when I was finally done speaking.
“She is rumored to be ruthless and cunning, Mikel Franson may have just made himself a powerful enemy.”
“ I don't think so.”
“I think she would rather have him as a son-in-law rather than an enemy.” I assured him.
“ Perhaps.” He agreed.
“ She and her daughter are rumored to be on the hunt for a rich husband, someone to add the money to her fame.”
We were both silent for a couple of minutes as I sipped my water and he continued pacing. It was Lasmay who finally broke the silence.
“ I'm not saying I agree with them, but I understand your actions,” what I don't understand though is why you want to keep up the Mikel Franson persona?” He asked.